Roger  Curmit Watson

  Roger  Curmit Watson, a stalwart of his family and community, transitioned to a new dawn on Monday, December 5, 2016.

  During his forty three years of residence in West Orange he worked diligently to help govern his community and to promote social causes in Northern New Jersey,  He served on various Boards and organizations throughout the years in West Orange, including the West Orange planning Board, council’s Planning Board, Council’s Revenue planning and Expenditure Committee, and as Vice President of the WOAHO. Roger also served on the West Orange Environmental Commission for eleven years, and sat on the Executive Board of the West Orange Citizens for Good Government, as well as the West Orange Citizens for Quality Education, where he fought against closing of elementary schools. One of his most honored experiences was being recognized as West Orange ‘Citizen of the Month’

  Roger immensely enjoyed participating in the PTAs of Gregory and Roosevelt Schools, to coaching soccer and baseball. He was consistently present at his children’s soccer, baseball, basketball, wrestling, cheer leading, and dance recitals where he would be one  their loudest supporters (to their chagrin).

  As a leading educator in the Newark Schools for over thirty years he served as teacher, Title 1 Coordinator, and principal. Another special part of his interests included his love and service of his Church, Trinity and St. Philip’s Cathedral in Newark, where he served as a Lay Reader, Warden, Vice President of the Men’s Club, as well as other duties and responsibilities.

  Roger loved and enjoyed his family. He leaves to mourn behind his loving and devoted wife of 48 years, Violet, his three children Melissa, Roger (Claire), Chad (Lidia He also leaves to mourn his four grandchildren: Vanessa, Stori, Rowan, and Chad, Jr., his beloved brother, Thomas and his adult  children, Thomas Jr., Tawana and Tanika, and each of their children, six sisters-in-law: Rosita Yanez, Antoinette Hammond, Estelle Bertram, Millicent  Faudman, Mary Capers, Eileen Woodburn, preceded in death brother-in-law Alfonso Woodburn, and their families, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and an extensive extensive family and  countless friends.